Man Sentenced to 44 Years for Murder

A man who pleaded guilty to killing a business associate and leading a jail revolt has been sentenced to 44 years in prison.

Twenty-six-year-old Bernard John Gilligan pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of 24-year-old Brett Adam Vaughn. He also was charged with rioting after a two hour uprising at the El Paso County jail in June while awaiting trial.

Gilligan was an aspiring rap artist and said Vaughn was his producer.

Gilligan's attorney -- Deb Grohs -- says her client heard Vaughn had accused him of stealing his computer and intended to kill Gilligan over the alleged theft. She says Gilligan shot Vaughn in self-defense when Vaughn reached for a gun.

District Judge Thomas Kane says he didn't believe the self-defense claim. He sentenced Gilligan to 41 years in prison on the murder charge and three years for the riot.

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